Self-leveling berth



(No Model.) l W. T. MILLIGAN.

SELF LBVBLING BERTH.

No. 544,065. Patented Aug. 6, 1895.

UNITED STATES t ATENT OFFICE.'

WILLIAM T. MILLIGAN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE BRIGGS SHIPS BERTII COMPANY, OF PORTLAND,

MAINE.

SELF-LEVELING BERTH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 544,065, dated August 6, 1895.

Application tiled January 3, 1 89 5.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM T. MILLIGAN, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State 'of Massachusetts, have invented a new and 5 useful Improvement in Self-Leveling Berths,

of which the following is a specication.

It is desirable in self-leveling berths that, while they oscillate in relation to the ship to maintain a horizontal position as the ship Io rolls, they be given a lateral movement in addition to their oscillating 4movement. My present invention accomplishes this result.

My present invention will be understood by reference to the drawings, in which- Figure l is a cross-section' of the berth, showing in elevation a mechanism in which my present invention is embodied, Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the central line of the berth as shown in Fig. l, Fig. 3 being a' dia- 2c gram indicating the operation of the parts.

The construction at each end of the berth is the saine.

A A are the sides of the berth, which set into sockets N attached to the head of the berth A. Each head of the berth is hung by a pivot b to a vertical lever B2, pivoted directly. to the bulk-head or preferably to a frame or support C attached thereto, as shown. To the upper part of the frame O a yoke E 3o is pivoted at e. This yoke has a vertical arm e extending downward below the pivot e and having at its lower end a pin e2, which slides in a slot Bformed in the upper end of the lever B2. The connecting-rod K is intended to connect one arm of the yoke E with the head A of the berth. The other end of the yoke is connected by connecting-rod L to the horizontal arm of the bell-crank M, the vertical arm of which carries the weight or 4o governor (not shown) by which the oscillating movements of the' berth about its longitudinal axis are controlled. These parts and connections are described in my former application. It will be evident that upon the oscillation of the weight or governor carried by the bell-` crank M the berth will be oscillated, whereas any ordinary leverage applied to the berth Serial No. 533,687. (No model.)

during its use cannot move the governor, and hence the berth will be stationary, except when the rolling of the ship causes the governor to roll.

When the governor swings and moves the yoke the lever e will throw the upper end of the lever B2 to one side or the other of its normal position and hence throw the axis of the berth in the opposite direction, as indicated in Fig. 3, the berth, however, at all times keeping its horizontal position, and being enabled to doso by reason of the pivotal con nections between it and the connecting-rods and yoke;

L Itis evident that other means for operating the lever B2 may be adopted, but the general construction above described I believe to be the best for this purpose. I have also shown a convenient form of mattress-support, consisting of a narrow frame formed of slats N, running the length ofthe berth and connected together by a cross-piece N2 at each end. This frame is suspended from the sides and head and foot of the berth by spiral springs n, which hang at an angle, as shown, and bring the weight of the occupant considerably below the center of oscillation otA the berthand so bring the center of gravity ofthe berth when occupied quite low down without causing interference with the side wall of the stateroom Vas the berth oscillates.

What I claim as my invention is'-- 1. In a self leveling berth mechanism, a berth pivotally hung from a vertical lever of the rst order and mechanism comprising a weighted lever and suitable connections -between said weighted lever, said vertical lever and said berth,whereby said berth is oscillated about its axis and the upper end of said vertical lever is simultaneously rocked to move the axis of the berth laterally, as set forth.

2.' In a self-leveling ships berth, mechanism whereby the berth is moved laterally while it maintains a horizontal position, said mechanism consisting of a lever pivoted to a suitable support and pivotally connected at its lower end tothe berth, its upper end being provided with a slot, a yoke pivoted above the berth to said support and having a. vertical arm provided at its lower end with a pin located iu said slot a weighted lever hung below said berth and connections substantially as described between said governor said yoke and said berth, all as and adapted for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of December, 1894.

WM. T. MILLIGAN.

Witnesses:

JAMES W. BRIGGS, GEORGE O. G. COALE. 

